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They can't even get a united front on this
Wallabies up to second best
By Jim Tucker
May 30, 2007
AUSTRALIA must produce a supreme performance to steamroll Wales on Saturday if rugby's world rankings are not to be held up for ridicule.
The Wallabies will reach a 22-month high in the global rankings by replacing France at No.2 if they win at Suncorp Stadium and New Zealand completes a ritual slaying of a second-string French line-up in Auckland.
Such a prospect is astonishing considering both the rusty Wallabies' last-gasp escape in the first Test against Wales and their biggest losing run against the All Blacks in a decade.
"I'm a realist, we'd be kidding ourselves to think we've done enough to put ourselves at No.2," Australian Rugby Union president Paul McLean said candidly last night.
"The next seven weeks against Wales, a resurgent South Africa and New Zealand is the only way to tell if we can aspire to such a level with the progress we all hope is in the team.
"I'm sure the players would agree."
Wallabies coach John Connolly inherited the side last year from axed predecessor Eddie Jones when it had dipped to No.5.
Hot Rugby world Cup favourite New Zealand is a runaway No.1 on the rankings, but Connolly insisted the Wallabies would be a justified No.2 spot if results were to go their way on Saturday.
"I don't see how it can't be legitimate," Connolly said after backline kingpins Steve Larkham and Matt Giteau both ran sharply at Ballymore training yesterday.
"We played South Africa three times last year, the Irish twice, and closed the gap on the All Blacks in our last two meetings."